Taiwan, China Spar over Taiwan Premier's Independence Remarks (2018-04-02)(Reuters) Taiwan’s government said on Tuesday that China was stirring up its media to threaten the self-ruled island after a major state-run newspaper said China should issue an international arrest warrant for Taiwan’s premier for his comments on independence.

Taiwan Addressing Cybersecurity Talent Shortage Amid China Threat (2018-04-05)(CNA, By Ku Chuan and Shih Hsiu-chuan) The Taiwanese government will be establishing a cybersecurity academy to address a shortage of cybersecurity personnel in the government. The head of the Cabinet's Department of Cyber Security said that the government faces over 20 million hacking threats every month, the vast majority of which originate from China. The academy is expected to be launched in September. <Accessed 2018-04-06>

Honour for Chinese Spy Killed for Tipping Off Taiwan during Missile Crisis (2018-04-06)(South China Morning Post, By Lawrence Chung) War could have erupted across the Taiwan Strait during the 1996 missile crisis if not for a leak from a top military spy on the Chinese mainland, according to recently released intelligence records in Taipei. As Beijing conducted a series of missile tests near the island, People’s Liberation Army major general Liu Liankun told his Taiwanese handlers that the missiles did not have warheads and Beijing had no plan to attack Taiwan. <Accessed 2018-04-09>

Taiwan's Freedom of Speech Under Threat from China: Ex-Vice Premier (2018-04-07)(CNA, By Christie Chen) Yeh Chu-lan, former vice premier, said that although Taiwan has full freedom of speech, that concept is under threat from China. She cites self-censorship of entertainers and the disappearance of Lee Ming-che as examples of China threatening Taiwanese freedom of expression. She says that Taiwanese should not only enjoy their freedom, but also remember those who fought for it and advocate for its importance. <Accessed 2018-04-08>Free Speech Facing Three Threats: Foundation Head (2018-04-09)(Taipei Times, By Lee Hsin-fang) The managing director of Nylon Cheng Liberty Foundation said that free speech in Taiwan faces three major threats: pressure from China, flawed legislation, and self-censorship among Taiwanese youth. China has been using its growing political and economic influence to attempt to influence speech in Taiwan, posing a challenge to freedom of expression. To avoid this, Taiwan should avoid being so dependent on China's market. <Accessed 2018-04-10>

Taiwan Asks to Join U.S.-Led WTO Consultations with China (2018-04-10)(CNA, By Liao Yu-yang and Kuan-lin Liu) Taiwan has asked to join a complaint by the United States against China over alleged intellectual property theft. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative filed a complaint on March 23 against China. As of the April 5th deadline to join the complaint, Taiwan, Japan, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, and the European Union have all requested to participate as a third party in this complaint. <Accessed 2018-04-10>

Chinese President Lauds Taiwan's Contributions to China (Update) (2018-04-10)(CNA, By Chen Chia-lun, Miao Zong-han, Evelyn Kao and S.C. Chang) Chinese President Xi Jinping lauded Taiwanese contributions to China's development and voiced optimism about the prospects for cross-Taiwan Strait relations. Xi said Taiwanese enterprises and people deserve credit for the mainland's development over the past 40 years. Though hopeful for future relations, Xi maintained China's adherence to the "1992 consensus," which Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen does not recognize. <Accessed 2018-04-10>

U.S.-Taiwan Relations

Pro-Taiwan Resolution Clears Arizona Legislature (2018-04-04)
(CNA, By Tsao Yu-fan and Evelyn Kao) The Arizona State Legislature on Tuesday passed a resolution in support of a Taiwan-U.S. bilateral trade agreement and Taiwan's participation in international organizations. The resolution argued that Taiwan is the U.S.'s 10th largest export market and Arizona's seventh largest goods export market, and a bilateral trade deal would foster a more open trade environment. <Accessed 2018-04-10>

U.S. Reasserts Support for Arms Sales to Taiwan Amid China Threats (2018-04-06)(CNA, Kuan-lin Liu, Chiang Chin-yeh and Rita Cheng) The United States has reiterated its commitment to arms sales to Taiwan in response to comments by China's ambassador to the U.S. that China's reunification was "unstoppable." A U.S. Department of State spokesperson said in an email to reporters that the U.S. will continue to assess Taiwan's defense needs and sell weapons to the country accordingly, as stipulated by the Taiwan Relations Act. <Accessed 2018-04-10>

US Issues Marketing License for Taiwan Domestic Submarine Project (2018-04-07)(CNA, By Lu Hsin-hui, Liu Lee-jung and Kuan-lin Liu) The Ministry of National Defense announced that the US had approved the license necessary for the sale of technology enabling Taiwan to build its own submarines. The Presidential Office thanked the US for this development as well as for their commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act. The sale of this technology will allow Taiwan to become more militarily self-sufficient. <Accessed 2018-04-08>

US to Continue Arms Sales to Taiwan, It Says (2018-04-07)(Taipei Times/CNA) Responding to comments from the Chinese ambassador to the US that Taiwanese reunification was "unstoppable," the US said they will continue arms sales to Taiwan. The US cited the Taiwan Relations Act to dictate how relations between the US and Taiwan should go and have said they will continuously monitor the security situation and take actions accordingly. <Accessed 2018-04-08>

Taiwanese Delegation in US to Recruit Research Talent (2018-04-07)(Taipei Times/CNA) A delegation of Taiwanese officials is in the US searching for overseas Taiwanese and foreigners to return to Taiwan for research positions. There are over 300 positions across nine universities for funded grants over five to ten years. <Accessed 2018-04-08>Ma to Embark on US Trip to Talk at Stanford Panel (2018-04-09)(Taipei Times/CNA) Former President Ma Ying-jeou is scheduled to visit the United States to deliver a speech at a panel discussion held at Stanford University. He will also be visiting Tesla, Google, and attending two banquets hosted by overseas Taiwanese. <Accessed 2018-04-10>

Taiwan's Domestic Politics and Foreign Relations

Major Democracies to Speak Up on Taiwan Role at World Health Assembly (2018-04-05)(CNA, By Yeh Su-ping and William Yen) Several countries, including Japan and the United States, are planning to speak up on behalf of Taiwan to call for Taiwan's invitation to this year's World Health Assembly conference. This will not guarantee Taiwan's invitation, but strong support shows that other countries understand Taiwan's role in the world health sphere. Taiwan did not secure an invitation to the WHA last year due to Chinese pressure. <Accessed 2018-04-06>

Local Biz Must Plan for Long-Term US-China Trade Battle: Experts (2018-04-05)(CNA, By Chiang Ming-yen and Shih Hsiu-chuan) Analysts have said that Taiwan's businesses should diversify their markets so that they will not face as much backlash from the mounting US-China trade war. Taiwanese businesses located in China may have to relocate to the US in order to properly tap into the US market. The companies should reduce its dependence on China in order to remain competitive. <Accessed 2018-04-06>

Diplomatic Allies Urge WHO to Invite Taiwan as WHA Observer (2018-04-07)(CNA, By Elaine Hou, Chang Ming-hsuan and Kuan-lin Liu) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Taiwan has officially asked its diplomatic allies to advocate for Taiwan's invitation to the World Health Assembly conference. Several of Taiwan's diplomatic allies have already sent requests to the officials of the WHA. A source has said that Taiwan will continue pushing for an invitation until the start of the conference. <Accessed 2018-04-08>Taiwan-Philippines Tech Meeting to Focus on Medicine, Agriculture (2018-04-07)(CNA, By Lin Mo-zo and Kuan-lin Liu) Taiwan and the Philippines will be meeting for the sixth time to discuss science and technology cooperation between the two countries, this time focusing on medicinal and agricultural projects. The meetings are held biannually and alternate hosting between the two countries. However, the date for the next meeting has not yet been set. <Accessed 2018-04-08>

Taiwan's Exports Grow in March on Strong Global Demand (2018-04-09)(CNA, By Chiu Po-sheng and Ko Lin) The Ministry of Finance released information showing that global demand for Taiwanese goods remains high, with exports going up over sixteen percent over the last year. Optical equipment is the only major export category with a decline in sales. Exports are expected to increase over the second quarter as well. <Accessed 2018-04-10>

UK Investment Minister Visits Taiwan to Boost Trade Links (2018-04-09)(CNA, By Joseph Yeh) The United Kingdom's Department for International Trade Minister for Investment arrived in Taipei to help develop bilateral trade and investment relations between Taiwan and the UK. President Tsai Ing-wen praised economic relations between the two partners while meeting with him at the Presidential Office. She noted that the UK would be looking for new trade opportunities once its departure from the EU was complete. <Accessed 2018-04-10>Tedros Key to WHA Participation (2018-04-09)(Taipei Times, By Lu Yi-hsuan) The attitude of WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is a major factor deciding whether Taiwan would receive an invitation to the World Health Assembly conference this year. An anonymous source said that Tedros currently seems to have a pro-China mindset, however. Taiwan has yet to receive an invitation to this year's WHA and also was not invited last year due to Chinese pressure. <Accessed 2018-04-10>Legislature Passes International Assistance Criminal Justice Bill (2018-04-10)(CNA, By Justin Su, Wen Kuei-hsiang and Evelyn Kao) The Legislative Yuan has passed the third and final reading of a bill on international mutual judicial and legal assistance in criminal matters to facilitate cooperation between Taiwan and other countries in the field of criminal justice. The bill encourages nations to work together to coordinate criminal investigations and offer mutual legal assistance. <Accessed 2018-04-10>

Taiwan Persists in Efforts to Secure WHA Invite (2018-04-10)(CNA, By Wang Cheng-chung and Kuan-lin Liu) The government will not give up its quest to secure an invitation to this year's World Health Assembly (WHA), despite the World health Organization's (WHO's) partiality toward China. Foreign Minister Joseph Wu has outlined the actions the government has undertaken to obtain an invitation to the WHA in May. The Taiwanese government is also asking diplomatic allies to send proposals to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus asking for Taiwan to be invited. <Accessed 2018-04-10>

Taiwan a Chess Player, Not a Pawn: President (2018-04-10)(CNA, By Shih Hsiu-chuan) President Tsai Ing-wen said Taiwan is not a small country that is at the mercy of other countries; rather, Taiwan has formidable economic and military strength. Tsai says people should not underestimate Taiwan, but that outside challenges are posing a challenge to Taiwan's national security team. <Accessed 2018-04-10>

PLA, Military Balance and Arms Sales

Taiwan's Domestic Submarine Development Program Uncertain: Experts (2018-04-08)(CNA, By Yiu Kai-hsiang and Evelyn Kao) The United States administration has approved the marketing license required for American manufacturers to sell Taiwan the technology needed to build its own submarines, but this move is only symbolic if Taiwan is unable to undertake the system integration required. <Accessed 2018-04-10>
China Demands Halt of U.S. Arms Sales to Taiwan (2018-04-09)(Reuters) China said on Monday that it opposed the United States selling weapons to Taiwan, after the Trump administration approved the marketing license required for American manufacturers to sell technology to Taiwan that would allow for building submarines. Taiwan’s Central News Agency said on Saturday that Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence confirmed the U.S. Department of State had agreed to grant the license needed to sell the technology to Taiwan so the self-ruled island could build its own submarines. <Accessed 2018-04-09>

U.S.-China Relations

China Formally Notifies the WTO of Retaliatory Tariffs against U.S. (2018-04-03)(Reuters) China has notified the World Trade Organization it is imposing $611.5 million worth of retaliatory tariffs on $2.75 billion worth of U.S. imports including pork, nuts and ethanol in response to U.S. duties on aluminum and steel, a WTO document showed. <Accessed 2018-04-03>

Why China Is Confident It Can Beat Trump in a Trade War (2018-04-05)(New York Times, By Steven Lee Myers) Beijing has a strong grip on banks, the news media and politics, and it seems willing to take advantage of vulnerabilities in the American political system. <RSS, Accessed 2018-04-09>

Trump's Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy Needs Clarity (2018-04-04)(The Diplomat, By Ankit Panda) US President Donald Trump's new Asia-Pacific regional plan, referring to "a free and open Indo-Pacific," has yet to showcase details or a proper strategy as the name suggests, despite strong rhetoric from the administration. Few details have emerged suggesting how the US will push for their strategy, especially regarding the "open" concept, when the US's trade strategies with other parts of the world are anything but open. <Accessed 2018-04-10>

US-China Trade 'Battles' Have Started (2018-04-04)(The Diplomat, By Charlotte Gao) The Chinese have said that they intend to respond to the new US tariffs by instituting tariffs of their own onto US imports into China. As threats fly on both sides of the conflict, the chance for resolving the trade disputes still remains high. Beijing can afford to negotiate a bit on trade while US threats will not take effect immediately. <Accessed 2018-04-10>Trade Wars: China Strikes Back (2018-04-05)(The Diplomat, By Shannon Tiezzi) China announced their own list of US goods that would be subject to an import tariff as a response to the US's newly instituted tariff against certain Chinese goods. China did not hide their intention to retaliate against the US tariffs. However, the Chinese tariff will affect US industries much more than the opposite, as the US imports much more from China than the other way around. <Accessed 2018-04-10>Looking Into the Report That Spurred Trump's Trade War With China (2018-04-09)(The Diplomat, By Robert Farley) A certain Defense Innovation Unit Experimental report may have been a deciding factor for US President Donald Trump's newfound trade aggression towards China. The report contains many recommendations for policy action to be taken by the government to many ends. However, the report does not call for any sort of trade war with China. <Accessed 2018-04-10>

US Security Head John Bolton Would Risk Military Conflict with China to Achieve Goals, Former US Officials Say (2018-04-11)(South China Morning Post, By Zhenhua Lu) The new US national security adviser is willing to risk a military conflict with China to achieve President Donald Trump’s goals for America, two former senior US officials have told the South China Morning Post. John Bolton, who is fond of quoting the ancient Roman battle philosophy, “If you want peace, prepare for war”, would use military force to coerce compliance from China – which an increasingly hawkish White House has painted as a competitor, if not an adversary, the former officials who worked with Bolton said in interviews. <Accessed 2018-04-11>

China's Domestic Politics and Foreign Relations

Hong Kong and Beijing
As China Tightens Squeeze, Soul Searching for Hong Kong's Democracy Movement (2018-04-03)(Reuters, By Venus Wu and James Pomfret) Hong Kong’s once thriving pro-democracy movement, weighed down by growing pessimism among its supporters over China’s ever-increasing control in the city, is facing a crisis of confidence about its future. As China tightens its grip on Hong Kong, pro-democracy parties have been hit by the sidelining of key leaders and have been losing ground to a well-organized pro-Beijing camp.

China’s Hardened Stance on Hong Kong and Taiwan (2018-04-04)(The Diplomat, By Johan Englund) Beijing's growing influence in Hong Kong as well as President Xi Jinping's warnings against trying for independence lend dim prospects for the future of a democratic Hong Kong. This is not limited to Hong Kong, as Beijing has been exerting greater political and economic influence over Taiwan in an attempt to curb the island's behavior. Beijing's attempts at influence over both territories does not appear to be lessening, and the future most likely holds an increase in Beijing's influence. <Accessed 2018-04-10>

China's Foreign Relations
China's Xi Tells Zimbabwe President They Should Write 'New Chapter' in Ties (2018-04-03)(Reuters) Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday told President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe that they should work towards a new chapter in ties, during the African leader’s first state visit to China since he seized power last year. Mnangagwa, who was sworn in as president in November after a de facto military coup ended Robert Mugabe’s 37-year rule, has vowed to rebuild his country’s ravaged economy and re-engage with the international community.

Controversial Bishops Deal Could Still Be On Track after Beijing Signals it Hopes for Progress in Vatican Talks (2018-04-03)(South China Morning Post, By Mimi Lau and Zhuang Pinghui) China has confirmed its commitment to reaching a deal with the Vatican over the appointment of bishops after an anticipated agreement that caused huge tensions within the Catholic Church failed to materialise before Easter. Striking a conciliatory tone on Tuesday, a spokeswoman for Beijing said the talks had been “proactive and in-depth” and the Chinese authorities hoped future discussions would prove “constructive”. <Accessed 2018-04-09>

Vatican Has Doubts About a Deal with China: Source (2018-04-05)(Taipei Times, By Stacy Hsu) A government official reported that the Vatican still has doubts that China would hold up its end of an agreement regarding the appointment of Catholic bishops, a topic which the two countries have disagreed on for years. The two have been negotiating and have nearly come to an agreement. The Vatican is also Taiwan's only diplomatic ally in Europe. <Accessed 2018-04-06>

Can China Play the Globalisation Card to Win ‘Trade War’ Allies in Europe? (2018-04-09)(South China Morning Post, By Sarah Zheng) China’s leaders are busy shoring up relations with the country’s trading partners in Europe and Asiaas the threat of a trade war with the United States looms and Beijing seeks to cement its position as a bastion of globalisation and free trade. Analysts said on Monday that Beijing faced both support and opposition in Europe and elsewhere, and would have to work hard to secure support from its allies while appeasing its critics. <Accessed 2018-04-09>

Europe Caught in the Middle as Trump Threatens China (2018-04-09)(New York Times, By Jack Ewing) The United States is Europe’s biggest trading partner, but China is closing in fast. If a trade war breaks out, neutrality may not be an option. <RSS, Accessed 2018-04-09>China, Russia 'Show Americans' Their Close Relationship (2018-04-10)(The Diplomat, By Shannon Tiezzi) As Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe visited Russia on two separate, but overlapping, trips, the two countries emphasized that Russia-China relations are at an all-time high. Minister Wang called for increased cooperation on security and regional coordination upon taking greater roles in the international arena, while Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that the alliance was one of strategic importance. <Accessed 2018-04-10>

China Wants to Embrace the World, Not Take It Over, Xi Says at Boao Forum for Asia (2018-04-11)(South China Morning Post, By Sarah Zheng) China’s President Xi Jinping’s strong message delivered at the Boao Forum for Asia was intended to ease tensions in the tit-for-tat trade dispute with the US, and assuage concerns of the world at large about China’s economic diplomacy and rising assertiveness, analysts said. Washington was the main target for Xi’s remarks at the annual economic summit in south China’s Hainan province, as he vowed to further open up and liberalise the nation’s economy. <Accessed 2018-04-11>

Territorial Disputes, the Korean Peninsula, and Other Regional Issues

Territorial Disputes

US Keeps Close Watch as Chinese Navy Puts on Show of Force in Live-Fire South China Sea Drills (2018-04-05)(South China Morning Post, By Minnie Chan) The Chinese navy launched an unprecedented week-long series of live-fire drills in the South China Sea on Thursday, as three US aircraft carrier battle groups prepare for their own exercises in the Asia-Pacific region. The drills overlap with this weekend’s Boao Forum for Asia which starts on Sunday in the southern island of Hainan, not far from the site of the Chinese naval exercises. <Accessed 2018-04-09>

How China Is Quietly Increasing Its Ability to Wage War at Sea (2018-04-07)(South China Morning Post, By Collin Koh) Focusing on the apparent propaganda value of the manoeuvres solely based on the satellite pictures diverts one’s attention away from a more pertinent phenomenon. That is, while much focus has been on the Chinese coastguard and fabled maritime militia in the South China Sea and in other East Asian maritime flashpoints involving China, the PLA Navy has been gradually improving its ability to fight in a high-intensity war. <Accessed 2018-04-09>

Philippines Eyes Joint Exploration Deal with China in South China Sea within Months (2018-04-09)(Reuters) The Philippines is looking to seal a pact with China within a few months to jointly explore for oil and gas in a part of the busy South China Sea waterway claimed by both countries, a Philippine official said on Monday. <Accessed 2018-04-09>South China Sea: China Deploys Jamming Equipment (2018-04-10)(The Diplomat, By Ankit Panda) China has reportedly deployed new radar and communication jamming equipment within the Spratly Islands group in the South China Sea. This represents an increase in Chinese military technological capability in the region and takes place on one of the artificial islands China has constructed for its military operations in the region. <Accessed 2018-04-10>

The Korean Peninsula
China Tells North Korea It Appreciates Its Efforts on Denuclearization (2018-04-03)(Reuters, By Michael Martina) China appreciates North Korea’s “important efforts” to ease tension on the Korean peninsula, senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi told the North’s foreign minister on Tuesday, hours after he called on all sides to stay focused on talks. <Accessed 2018-04-03>

The CCP is Eating the State (2018-04-04)(East Asia Forum, By Jessica C Teets) In addition to being wary of elite ambition, Xi Jinping will have to continue the responsiveness to the people’s demands that the Party has shown in the past. Otherwise he may struggle to remain at the helm and avoid another disaster of unilateral decision making like the Great Leap Forward. <Accessed 2018-04-11>

Is China Changing Its Strategy towards North Korea? (2018-04-04)(East Asia Forum, By Feng Zhang) Chinese strategists have called for Beijing to act with greater assertiveness in North Korea for at least a decade, with rather limited policy influence. With Xi now starting his second term as China’s most powerful leader since Mao, their voices may be heard and a new, robust strategy of enhancing Chinese influence and protecting Chinese interests in North Korea will be in the offing. <Accessed 2018-04-11>

China, US, and South Korea Must Harmonise their North Korea Strategies, or Risk Being Outplayed by Kim Jong-un (2018-04-05)(South China Morning Post, by Kristian McGuire) Given that a quick solution to the North Korea crisis is all but guaranteed, the United States, China, and South Korea should work together to create a harmonized strategy to address the situation. The three are using different, but complementary, strategies, so North Korea has been able to appear cooperative. However, given that each country will pursue its own strategy, all three should communicate with one another so that the strategies do not conflict with one another. <Accessed 2018-04-06>

China Bans Tech Exports to North Korea with Potential to Develop Weapons of Mass Destruction (2018-04-09)(South China Morning Post, By Jeong Ho Lee) China has banned exports to North Korea of items that could have dual uses in helping to develop weapons of mass destruction. The Ministry of Commerce in Beijing released a list of 32 banned materials, technologies and equipment on Monday, amid international concerns over Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons programme. The list includes particle accelerators, centrifuges, seismic monitoring equipment, ring-shaped magnets and radiation-detection devices. <Accessed 2018-04-09>

President Moon’s Middle Power Trip (2018-04-10)(East Asia Forum, By Charles K Armstrong) Using the imagery of Roh’s advisor Bae Ki-chan, South Korea’s goal is to no longer be a ‘shrimp among whales’ that is crushed by the geopolitical interests of the surrounding great powers but to be instead an agile and intelligent ‘dolphin’. Whether Moon can succeed in this task remains to be seen, but under his leadership South Korea appears intent on establishing a stronger and more visible presence in the world. <Accessed 2018-04-11>

Time to Tread Carefully on the Peninsula (2018-04-11)(East Asia Forum, By Liang Tuang Nah) Since agreeing to insubstantial ‘progress’ on nuclear disarmament in return for relief from pressure is part of Pyongyang’s modus operandi, presidents Moon and Trump should exercise utmost circumspection towards the Kim regime’s diplomatic guile and steadfastly uphold denuclearisation sanctions along with the international community. Even as policy doves hope that a grand bargain can be struck either in the Moon–Kim or Trump–Kim summit, we should not count on Kim having a nuclear disarmament epiphany. <Accessed 2018-04-11>